Can't let it go!

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A couple of months ago (before I started school) everyone was asking me what I wanted to do for a living. Several people had the same response. "Just a nurse? You're not going to go to medical school?" I thought that I was over it but at times I can still hear them saying it... "JUST a nurse." I think nursing is the most noble profession there is, and it really gets me that some people don't see that for themselves or at least appreciate that that is my view of nursing.

Has anyone ever said similar things to any of you? If so, how did you explain your decision to them? How did you get over their comments? It blows my mind that some people are so unsupportive of this! I don't think anyone understands why I want to do this because nurses don't make that much money. That's not why I want to be a nurse! I want to be able to comfort and care for people when they need it most. Money is just not that important to me! My sister is in law school with ambitions of becoming a corporate lawyer (not that there's anything wrong with that) but I feel like she gets more support because her future profession is more lucrative.

Ugh... sorry. Just venting. I just don't get it though...

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..
A couple of months ago (before I started school) everyone was asking me what I wanted to do for a living. Several people had the same response. "Just a nurse? You're not going to go to medical school?" I thought that I was over it but at times I can still hear them saying it... "JUST a nurse." I think nursing is the most noble profession there is, and it really gets me that some people don't see that for themselves or at least appreciate that that is my view of nursing.

Has anyone ever said similar things to any of you? If so, how did you explain your decision to them? How did you get over their comments? It blows my mind that some people are so unsupportive of this! I don't think anyone understands why I want to do this because nurses don't make that much money. That's not why I want to be a nurse! I want to be able to comfort and care for people when they need it most. Money is just not that important to me! My sister is in law school with ambitions of becoming a corporate lawyer (not that there's anything wrong with that) but I feel like she gets more support because her future profession is more lucrative.

Ugh... sorry. Just venting. I just don't get it though...

Just tell them what you've just told us!! They should respect your decision and at the end of the day it is your decision.

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Remember at 18 no one has a clue what lies ahead of them. Everyone thinks everyone elses business is their own. I think you should follow your dream and remember that half of your graduating class will be knocked up, fat and working at the mall. Don't listen to anyone!!!

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Don't listen to people. You'll be the one doing the job, not them. It's your life, not theirs. Responses like those just show how ignorant people can really be. Being a nurse and being a dr. are so completely different. Follow your heart. Good luck and we're all here for you...

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It's strange becuase typically when I tell people that I want to be a nurse, they understand. I guess I just don't have that "doctor" look haha. The couple of times I've had to answer this question though, I tell them that being a nurse is a separate career than being a doctor. It's like asking a fireman why not be a paramedic? Or a police officer why not be a constructipon worker? Because it is two separate careers.

Its not like nurses are failed doctors or nurses are doctor wanna be's that couldn't get into med school. No,people chose to go to med school, people chose to go to nursing school. People chose to become a police officer. People chose to be a professor. People chose to be a teacher. It's a career choice and you have the right to chose it.

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I would say just that "yeah, I am going to be just a nurse" then smile, and ask "so, are you going to be (whatever they are) your whole life".

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

Give them an astonished look and say:

"Go to medical school? Are you crazy?? All that time in school and then be on call? I can get through school a whole lot faster, and when I leave work, I'll leave it behind. Besides that, nurses can change areas pretty easy. If a doctor gets tired of doing cardiology, she can't just go start delivering babies!!"

And if someone says something about bathing people and wiping butts:

"Sure, doctors have so much more fun, looking up noses and doing rectal exams!!"

These are, of course, vast simplifications of the roles and duties, but should be enough for the general population.

And, if someone says something about all the money doctors make, just give them a big smile and say "Well, I'll just have to marry one, won't I??" (That will probably be their next question, anyway!) :lol2:

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Specializes in acute care.

I don't feel that you should have to explain to anyone why you aren't going to medical school. However, if they are getting on your nerves, the next time they ask, turn it around and ask them why THEY opted not to go to medical school.

A couple of months ago (before I started school) everyone was asking me what I wanted to do for a living. Several people had the same response. "Just a nurse? You're not going to go to medical school?" I thought that I was over it but at times I can still hear them saying it... "JUST a nurse." I think nursing is the most noble profession there is, and it really gets me that some people don't see that for themselves or at least appreciate that that is my view of nursing.

Has anyone ever said similar things to any of you? If so, how did you explain your decision to them? How did you get over their comments? It blows my mind that some people are so unsupportive of this! I don't think anyone understands why I want to do this because nurses don't make that much money. That's not why I want to be a nurse! I want to be able to comfort and care for people when they need it most. Money is just not that important to me! My sister is in law school with ambitions of becoming a corporate lawyer (not that there's anything wrong with that) but I feel like she gets more support because her future profession is more lucrative.

Ugh... sorry. Just venting. I just don't get it though...

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Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

Sounds like those people need to be educated on what exactly nurses do. Perhaps they have no idea exactly what all goes on during a nurses shift.

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Specializes in LDRP.

eh, tell 'em to shut up! ;)

there are always going to be haters! just keep doing your thing and ignore them! :)

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LOL I get the same thing but reversed...I am starting a surgical tech program, and all the pre-nursing students in my Biology and Math classes want to know why I want to be "just a tech" and not a nurse!!!

Again, totally different job! I don't want to be a circulating nurse in the OR, I want to scrub in during the surgery!

AT first, I felt as though I had to justify my choice to them, but I made my choice an I am proud of it. People are funny. Just let it go.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

Again, totally different job! I don't want to be a circulating nurse in the OR, I want to scrub in during the surgery!

This is a good point and I in know way think little of your decision. However, I do need to point out that not all nurses in the OR are Circulating Nurses. I have plans to continue my education and get training as a Certified First Assist. Thus, like you I will have my hands inside the patient! GL!

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